Central States Marathon - Race Reviews

I ran in 2009 with my daughter and had a great time.

This was a really nice first marathon for me because it was so personalized. It is very small but bathrooms were available every 2 miles so I never had to worry. Since it is a loop race I got to see my husband and kids every 2 miles if I needed anything - food, drinks, encouragement - and they even let my husband rollerblade and push a stroller for 10 miles of the race with me, which was really nice. The volunteers were amazing and I can't wait the three weeks for the 2010 race to be here!

This is the smallest race I have ever done (about 50 between the marathon and the 50K, including 3 dogs), but it was also one of the most fun. The people who put it on do not take themselves too seriously, but they do know exactly what marathoners and ultra runners need. There was no medal, no t-shirt, but also no entry fee. And you get much more than what you pay for at this race! The course is 5 loops in a park in Ames, and actually each loop is two different out-and-back loops. At each end there was a water stop with very friendly support, and in the middle at the start/stop there was another. Therefore you have a stop at least every 1.5 miles, even though they only have 3 people handing you water and Gatorade. Very efficient use of volunteers!! The course never crosses a street (under two streets and a railroad track and along a couple of others), so no police support is needed. Although the loops are repetitious, the course itself is fairly pretty, along a small river that you cross 20 times. It is very flat and mostly shaded, and all good running surface. Plenty of fruit and snacks. Easy parking in the park, and you run near your car many times so you can drop off a warm-up or pick up something if you need to. I enjoyed the course because, even though it is a tiny race, I saw all of the other runners multiple times, including the race winner Chuck Engle. Chuck and almost everyone else said, "Hi" or "Good job" every time you went past, so by the end you felt like you knew everyone. Many of the runners do this one every year, so it feels much more like a long run with friends than a race. At the end you could select a "door prize" and a stuffed animal if you wanted. I have enough t-shirts and medals, but you can always use another door and stuffed bear!!! Ames is only about 40 minutes from the Des Moines airport, and there are plenty of reasonable hotels there. I think the Iowa State graduation was the day before the marathon, so Friday night the hotels were full, but no problem on Saturday night for the Sunday race. I was able to start early (just time yourself) and finish in time to get cleaned up, check out of the hotel, grab some lunch and head to the airport after the race.

I loved this marathon. Great people. I love running and meeting wonderful people. I met Ruth and her husband. She will be running her 100th marathon, in October. They invited us to come and run. The race director, fans, runners and spectators were few in number, but great. Very friendly. Plus we got to visit with our children. I'll probably run again next year. Plus I'll be a grandma next time!

I ran the 50K and it was a wonderful event. I loved how small it was, and the course was great. I really thought I might not like the constant loops, but I loved it. It was so neat to pass people and always get a thumbs up or just a smile. The two ladies out on the course were just fantastic! I did tell them thank you, but that just isn't enough considering that they gave their whole day to sit in the cold and support us. They were both so personable and encouraging. I've run large marathons (Chicago being one of them) and I'd take these two ladies over thousands of spectators any day! The cantaloupe was great and the brownies with the coconut... just heavenly! Thanks to the supportive guys at the start/finish area also. If you are looking for a lot of spectators, this isn't for you. If you want a small, intimate, fun and relaxing run, this is it! I hope to return next year!

This was my first marathon, and I feel it was a good choice. I was registered for a "Mega Marathon" in a big city the month before, and could not run due to illness. I found this marathon via the internet, and I'm glad I did! It boasts a low-key family atmosphere with irreverent humor and friendly workers. The weather could have been better (very windy) and that caused some issues with the course markers, but all in all, it was a good time. Many of the participants are from out-of-state. Many are 50-Staters who know each other. Don't expect a lot of bells and whistles for the $10 entry fee. The entry fee covers the costs to put on the race, several door prizes made out of recycled doors, and that's about it. Who needs band and vendor tents anyway? This is the best-kept secret in the Midwest. Please don't come next year, because I want to keep it to myself.

I did the 50K as my first ultra-marathon and would definitely recommend it. The winds were up to 35 mph, but that is typical Iowa spring weather. The course was interesting: a 5.25-mile loop that was repeated six times - completely wooded, constantly curving but very flat. The race director was very polite and generous. There weren't many/any spectators (except my hubby, who rode his bike with me), so if you are one who needs that, this is not the race for you. The cost of the event was unbeatable: FREE! It was a great Mother's Day for this mom of three. I loved every painful mile.

What a waste! A late start, no recycled trophies for back-of-the-pack runners, no door prizes, two minor water stops (plus a good one by the wife of a 50-State runner), and a medal that was Mardi Gras beads and a cowbell.

I did the 50K in 2006 and the people are just fantastic. It is small and personal, like many ultras, but unlike most regular marathons. The price (it was free for mothers) is terrific. How can you beat it? You can't. The director and volunteers make it great!

What is so special about this tiny race on a multiple-loop flat bike path through a pretty but unremarkable park? It's not the non-existent spectators, the non-existent pasta dinner, the non-existent bands or even the very existent bowling trophies. Rather it is the fun spirit that Doug and the other organizers infuse in this race that infects everyone who runs it. If you are a very serious runner and don't enjoy joking with the other participants in the race when your paths cross, this is not the race for you. But if you like people as well as running, see you in Ames next Mother's Day.

Loved the early start as this was a back/back and temp. was going up! Running through the beautiful tree-lined park with gurgling streams and well marked course was such a treat. Having many supportive 50 staters and other friendly runners around was the best you can get for spectators in a park. Friendly people were also at the water/food stations. Really appreciated that the first station was left well equipped with ice, cups and drinks when attendee left late in race. I'm slow anyway and took forever to finish. The trophies and water bottle were just absolutely unique and fantastic, and choosing the one you want was such a hoot. I can't play basketball, but I have a great big trophy and great conversation piece. Director recycles old trophies and makes them fit the event. Water bottle has label he made also! Those efforts are much appreciated. Other directors could take a lesson from that. Topping it off, one race official took a couple of us out for the evening since we were staying over in Ames with no particular plans. What a great way to end a race! Thanks, Ames, for the friendly, fun event. It's a YES to anyone who wants to enjoy nature and personal service! The unique tropies are a MUST-HAVE!

This was # 42 of 50 states for me and I picked a great race to do in this state! I took my time and enjoyed the day, the runners and the wonderful folks at the water stops. My only regret is that I had to leave right away for the motel checkout time! Sure would have enjoyed the fellowship at the finish line! Thanks for your friendly marathon day in Ames, IA! - The Rrrick from Temple Terrace, FL!

A no-stress marathon. The organizers and volunteers were wonderful. The course is beautiful and flat. The price can't be beat. And, I'll proudly show off my bowling trophy for the completion of the 50K run. :)

Great weather, cost, setting, and people made this the perfect marathon for me this year.

I'm a local resident, and I wanted a simple, no frills marathon to be my first. This marathon was run more like a club run with a can't-be-beat $10 entry cost (and because it was mothers day, all mothers ran for free). The course was a 5-times out-and-back in a beautiful city park, but there was enough diversity in the scenery that the repetition wasn't tedious. There was plenty of aid, the the organizers have great senses of humor offering all finishers a trophy (old bowling and softball trophies) and door prizes made out of real doors. When I finished, there was some guy playing the theme from 'Rocky' on a trumpet. Everyone there patted me on the back and made me feel really special for finishing. In all a great time with some really great people. I think I could have run the race a little faster, but my pacing partner (who's run over a 100 marathons or ultras) kept a pretty tight rein on me and kept the pace down because it was my first. Probably wise choice. I'll be back next year.

Except for the 5 minutes waiting for a train it was a nice run. The NEW course - VERY FLAT - has one less hill and no railroad tracks to cross so no one will have to wait for a train again. (Actually, I ran the marathon course plus the extra 5 mile loop to do the 50K. My dad came out to cheer me along and gave me a banana, cookies, etc. Thanks dad!!) Ames running club helps with this race (water stations, finish line, etc.) and they are great!! Many of them are marathoners so they know better than to say stupid things like 'looking good,' 'no more hills,' 'almost there,' etc.

This was my first marathon, and I am so happy I chose this one to run! Everybody was so friendly and helpful, and the water stops were frequent. One stop (about halfway through the course) was equipped with lots of food, too. It was like an oasis in the desert! The majority of the race was run on gravel (and unfortunately we had a bad headwind on the way back), but the scenery was beautiful, and the other runners were so supportive. If you are looking for a race with lots of hype and tons of fans, this one isn't for you. But I felt such warmth from the other runners and the race organizers that I didn't mind. One of my highlights was seeing a family who lived on the gravel road passing out water and Gatorade to all of the runners. Though I was EXHAUSTED at the end, I am so glad I did it!

I picked this race due to its laidback and fun-loving atmosphere that was presented on the website. I am so glad I participated. The course was great - even the gravel section was not that bad. We did have a headwind on the last 1/2 of the course, but all in all it was great. The lack of hype was wonderful, which is why I rated the non-existent fans as a '4.' My family was there and that was all I needed. If you want to run a marathon that seems more like a training run - relaxed and fun - then this is it! The cost, the freebies, the refeshments were all great, and I love my 'door prize.' The organizers were wonderful and seemed to love what they were doing. Great job, great race!

Well, not quite heaven. But definitely Iowa. This is as good a small marathon as you could find. It is a well-organized, very friendly, mostly flat, somewhat scenic event. The price is right ($25), and the freebies are fantastic. Yeah, no spectators, but after doing 2 recent RnR Marathons, which both started late and were not that impressively organized, you realize all that hype is a little overstated. This one was a great alternative. I'd definitely recommend this event. And hey, Ames is a beautiful, small town and quite nice to run through.

The website does not advertise that this is a big-time marathon - and they are right. ('Door prizes' = actual small cabinet doors... I think they had a few left over.) But - if you enjoy an out-and-back course, this was really a great race. The course does not have markers telling you what mile you are at, so unless you have a running gadget telling you where you are that may get a little frustrating (i.e. the turn-around point is more than 1/2 way, approximately 14 1/2 miles) but if you know where you're at on the course it was very relaxing - you are certainly not bumping elbows with anyone! The water stops are frequent (except I think something happend in 2004 between miles 21-25) and in some cases you had to 'pour your own', but the supplies were there! I hope these comments are not mis-construed as negative because I really enjoyed the day. But I enjoyed it because I had realistic expectations. Times were recorded by a gentleman with a stopwatch, a legal pad and a Bic pen. But he's accurate!

I have ran more than ten marathons now and this was my first that was paired with a 50K as well. It was strange to be competing in the 'short' race. Overall this run is a simple but greatly unique production. The race organizer seemed to enjoy what he was doing, and the volunteers were kind. Unique to this race were: the European start, 'chip' timing, the free buffet at a local restaurant, pre- and post-race photographs included, bag, and water bottle (not to mention the normal post race amenities). The race did not have roads blocked off, but the early 'city' section had no traffic, and the country FLAT scenic section was on a rarely traveled road. There were plenty of water stops. The only fans were family members of the runners themselves. I will likely return to run again.

This has got to be one of the smallest marathons in the country. Everything about it is low budget, but there is something very charming about the event nonetheless. They used left over bibs from other local races, the tropheys were purchased at a garage sale and had a guy holding a pool cue and the medals were left overs from other events too. In fact, very few people received the same medal. Your 'chip time' consisted of your time written on a poker chip. The event is decidedly cheap, they poke a lot of fun at other events and everyone had a good time. They choose to have no sponsors and I thought it was kind of fun. The first two water stations were nonexistant. I got a little nervous, but the rest of the stations were there and they were well equipped with water, sports drink, lubricants, fruit and a few other things. Very small crowd, but they tried to be supportive. With an out&back course, other participants were the best cheer leaders. I will be there next year, this event is a refreshing change-up from your typical marathon.